Cosmetic container



June 2l, 1938. B F, CONNER 2,121,383

COSMETIC CONTAINER Filed Feb. 11, 1937 2 sheets-sheet 1 "hun y Ummm June 21, 1938.A B. F. coNNER 2,121,383

I A COSMETIC CONTAINER Filed Feb. 11, 1937 2 sheetssheet 2" "Hin "wir Patented June 2l, 1938 a121,:asa oosME'nc CONTAINER ,Y Benjamin F. Conner, 4West Hartford,V Conn., uassignor to Colts Patent Fire Arms` Manufacturingl Co., ,Hartford Conn.,

`Connecticut.

a corporation of Application Febrary 11, 1937,A serial No; 125,309

comme'. (ci. :h5-1)"` AThis invention Vrelates primarilylto cosmetic containers' ofl -the4 -type disclosed "in my patent for Jars, No. 2,076,549, dated April 13, 1937, which containers are primarily intended for containing cosmetic-preparations which may be powders, or sa1ves,` coldcreams-andvother-preparations of a paste-like consistency. A container of this type consists ofat least two vseparatemembers, `each of -which maybemoldedffrom a material of the synthetic. resin class. .'Ihe` inner member is formed `for. engagementwithla .closure cap and is :adapted for'l containing the cream or other cosmetic preparation; and the` base or outer structure serves. to support the inner or containing member and toprovide. at leasta part of the desired exterior'contour or design..

The principal object of the present invention i to provide a container of thegeneral class referred tos'. but havingl two or more containing members varrangedat. approximately the same level `and all. connected with a common base or `outer structure; The base or outer 'structure preferablycomprises two separate members, that isa bottom or basemember, andan enclosing member having a top wallwith openings therein for receiving the containing members.

A further and more specific object of the inventionl is to providea container of the class defined having containing members of diiierent sizes or depths, but .arranged with their tops at approximatelythe same level.

Inlthe `accompanying drawings. I have shown several embodiinentsof the invention, but` it will be understood that the drawings are intended for Yillustrative.purposes only and are `not to be' construed as defining o-r limiting the scope. of -the invention, the. claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings: I

l "lfFigi 1 isaplan view cfa container embodying Athe invention,- one of lthe containing members hand portion of Fig. 5 but showing another alternative embodiment of the invention.

- Figs. 7 and Bare bottom and top views respectivelyY of the` adapter shown in Fig. 6. l

Fig. 9 is a plan view of another alternative In the drawings, particularly in` Figs. 1 to et,v

I have shownl a containervhaving a plurality of containing members I, I arranged at the .same level. Three such members are shown, but I-do not limit myself as to the number. The members I, I are shown as being of the same size but as to` this there `may be variation.

Each containing member Iris preferably of such shape that its interior diameter at the top is at least as large as theinterior diameter below the top. vThe bottom wall of the containing member is indicated at 2, and the said member is threaded adjacent its upper periphery as indicated at 3, being thus adapted for engagement with a threaded closure 4 of the cap type.

A common bottom or base member 5 is provided for all of the containing members, the said `base member being beneath al1 of them. Means are provided for readily connecting the several containing members with the base member'to prevent relative rotation and-to resist separation. The means which is shown and which is now preferred is disclosed and specifically claimed in my patent for Jars, No. 2,077,215, dated April 13, 1937, but it will be understood that I do not herein narrowly limit myselfas to the details of the connecting means.

. Projecting downward from the bottom wall 2 of each containing member l are four relatively small plugs 6, 6 which are located at uniform distances from the aXis of the member and which are preferablyspaced apart uniformly or substantially so, Formed on the base member 5 are groups of socluzets for receiving the plugs on the respective containing members. In each group thereV are four sockets 1, I of suchsize and so positioned as .to'be adapted'to receive the corresponding plugs 6, Ii. On account of the substantially uniform spacing of the plugs and sockets it is possible for each containing-member to be assembled in four angularly different positions. While the plugs and sockets are substantially uniformly spaced from `each other as already stated, they may vary 4slightly from such uniformity innorder to provide increasedf friction: 0f

engagement, as explained in detail in my last aforesaid patent.

Preferably the several plugs 6, 6 have their main body portions smaller than the sockets and are provided with a plurality of narrow vertical ns 8, 8 which project radially outward from the body of the plug. These ns provide narrow bearing surfaces for engagement with the walls of the sockets, and they tend to cut into the socket Walls to provide a rmer engagement.

Preferably there is associated with the containing members I, I and with the base member 5 a structurally separate enclosing member, the container being in this respect similar to that disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application for Jars, Serial No. 125,308 filed February 11, 1937. As shown there is an enclosing member 9 which rests upon the base member and which preferably conforms in general shape to the shape chosen for the base member. It has vertical or substantially vertical side walls IU extending entirely around and enclosing the containing members, and it has a top wall II with openings I2 therein for receiving the said containing members.

Each containing member I preferably has formed integrally therewith an annular flange I3 with a downward opening rabbet I4 therein. The top wall II of the enclosing member 9 is so related to the flanges I3 on the container that the lower rabbeted portions of the flanges enter the said openings I2, the upper portions of the flanges overlying and engaging the said top wall. The enclosing member is thus held in place by engagement with the bottoms of the flanges on the containing members and with the top of the base member. It Will be understood that the several members constituting the container are held in their assembled relationship by reason of the described engagement between the plugs 6, 6 and the sockets I, 'I. The enclosing member 9 is normally held between the base member and the containing members, but it is structurally separate from the said base and containing members and it is preferably without direct positive connection with either the base or the containing member.

The construction shown in Fig. 5 is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the difference being that the containing members have different depths. As shown there are two containing members I, I similar to those already described and a third containing member Ia which differs from the members I, I in that it has less depth. The base 5a has a portion thereof elevated at I5 so that the sockets 1a, 'Ia of one group are at a higher level than those of the other groups so as to engage the plugs 6a, 6a on the containing member Ia.

The construction shown in Figs. 6 to 8 is similar to that shown in Fig. 5 with the exception that there is provided a base 5 which may be exactly the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 3. In order to connect the containing member I a with the base 5 there is provided an adapter disc I6 having on its top face sockets II, I'I similar to the sockets l, 1 and adapted to receive the plugs 6a, I52L on the containing member Ia. On the bottom of the disc I 5 are plugs I8, I3 adapted to enter the sockets 1, 'I on the base 5.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a container which is simi-- lar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4 but which diifers in that the central containing member Ib is smaller in diameter andof less depth than the c'ontaining members I, I. Except for size the containing member Ib is similar to the containing members I, I, being provided with downward projecting plugs 6b, 6b and with a rabbeted annular flange I3b. The containing member Ib is threaded to engage a closure 4b. The containing member Ib instead of engaging the base 5, either directly or through an adapter, is supported en tirely on the enclosing member 9b which is specially formed to receive it. As shown, the enclosing member 9b has a depression I 9 in the top wall I Ib thereof. The bottom wall of the depression I9 is provided with holes adapted to receive and fit the plugs 6b, 6b and to thus hold the containing member Ib in its normal position as shown in Fig. 10.

It will be apparent that a container embodying the invention is adapted to conveniently hold a plurality of cosmetic preparations which may be either powders or creams. 'Ihe construction is such that various attractive and ornamental designs may be used, such designs involving not only ornamental shapes but various color combinations.

The container may be marketed without contents, and may be filled by the user with such cosmetic preparations as may be desired; or it may be sold with various combinations of cosmetic preparations contained therein. If sold with cosmetic preparations therein the manufacturer may find it advantageous to provide refill units each consisting of a containing member and closure with suitable contents. These refill units may be substituted by the user in the original container, thus making it unnecessary for the user to purchase an entire new container after the original contents have been used.

What I claim is:

1. The combination in a cosmetic container, of a plurality of thin-walled cup-shaped molded containing members positioned at approximately the same level and each having its interior diameter at the top at leastas large as is the interior diameter below the top, each of the said members being externally threaded adjacent its upper periphery for engagement with a closure of the cap type, a common molded base member beneath all of the said containing members, retaining means formed integrally with the bottoms of the said containing members and connected with the said base member to hold the said members against relative lateral movement and to resist relative upward movement of the containing rriembers, and a common enclosing member structurally separate from the base member and from the containing members and surrounding all of the latter, the said enclosing member having a top wall with openings therein for receiving the containing members.

2. The combination in a cosmetic container, of a plurality of thin-walled cup-shaped molded containing members positioned at approximately the same level and each having its interior diameter at the top at least as large as is the interior diameter below the top, each' of the said members being externally threaded adjacent its upper periphery for engagement with a closure of the cap type and each of them having an outward projecting annular flange located immediately below the thread, a common molded base member beneath all of the said containing members and extending radially in all directions at least as far as do the said flanges on the containing members, retaining means formed integrally with' the bottoms of the said containing members and .connected with the said base member to hold all ofthe said members againstrelativelateral movement and to -resist relativerupward movement of thecontaining .memberaand .la .common enclosing member. structurally separate from the .base member and.;` from the containing .members` andsurrounding. allof .the latter, the .saidenclosingmember` having a; .top..wall;..with .openings-therein. for receivingthe containing.. members, and the .said enclosing member. beingheld inplace. by engagement with the Vtopof the. base. member. and with thecbottoms of .the flanges..on..the.,containing members.

l. .3. ...The .combination.innatcosmetic of a...plurality. of. thinewalled Ycup-shapedY molded .containingmembers positionedat approximately the. same level and each.havingitsinteriordiameter. at the. topv atfleast as large. as Vis vthetinterior .diameter below ythe top, .each of .the said members being. externally` threaded adjacentits. upper lperiphery.forengagementwith aiclosure ofthe cap typeand .each .of them. having an .outward pro- `jecting. annular. flange located immediatelyl below the. .thread andalso .having .downward extending vertical portions adjacent thebottomralcommon molded base member beneath all of the said containingmembersandextending radially in all directions at least as far as do the said anges on the containing members, the said base member having a plurality of means formed integrally therewith for engaging the said downward extending vertical portions on the respective con.- taining members to hold al1 the said members against relative lateral movement and to resist relative upward movement of the containing members, and a common enclosing member structurally separate from the base member and from the containing members and surrounding all of the latter, the said enclosing member having a top wall with openings therein for receiving the containing members and the said enclosing member being held in place by engagement with the top of the base member and with the bottoms of the ilanges on the containing members.

4. The combination in a cosmetic container, of a plurality of thin-walled cup-shaped molded containing members having diierent depths and positioned with their tops at approximately thesame level and each having its interior diameter at the top at least as large as is the interior diameter below the top, each of the said members being externally threaded adjacent its upper periphery for engagement with a closure of the cap type and each of them having an outward projecting annular flange located immediately below the thread and also having retaining means formed integrally therewith near the bottom, a common molded base member beneath all of the said containing members and extending radially in all directions at least as far as do the said flanges on the containing members, a plurality of means at different levels on the base member for engaging the said retaining means on the respective containing members of diierent depths tohold all of the said members against relative lateral movement and to resist relative upward movement of the containing members, and a common enclosing member structurally separate from the base member and from the containing members and surrounding all of the latter, the said enclosing member having a top wall with openings therein for receiving the containing members and the said enclosing member being held in place by engagement with the top of the base member and with the bottoms of the anges on the containing members.

combination. in a .cosmetic .containergof Aa .plurality. or. ythin-.walled cup-shaped molded containing members having diierent ,depths and positionedwith their. tops at. approximately the same level andeaoh having its interior ldiameter at. the top at least as large as is the .interiordiameter below the. top, .each ofthe said members beingexternally threaded.. adjacent its.. upper periphery for engagement witha closure of the .cap typeand eachoithem having` an outward projecting .annular iiange located immediately below the thread and also` having retaining` means formed integrally therewith .near the bottom, a common molded. base member. beneathiall of .the .Said containing members .and extending radially inalldirections. at least..as .far .as do the said flanges .onthe ,c.ontaining..members,. the` said. base member havinga plurality of meansformedintegrally. therewithat different levels A.for engaging .the said. retaining means ontherespective containing membersof diferentdepths, and acom-v mon. enclosing member structurally separate from the base .member and. from, the. containing. members andfsurrounding all of thelattenithe. saiden` closingmemberhaving atop .wall with openings thereinior. receivingthe. containing `members and the said enclosing member being held in place by engagement with the top of the base member and with the bottoms of the iianges on the containing members.

6. The combination in a cosmetic container, of a plurality of thin-walled cup-shaped molded containing members having different depths and positioned with their tops at approximately the same level and each having its interior diameter at the top at least as large as is the interior di ameter below the top, each of the said members being externally threaded adjacent its upper periphery for engagement with a closure of the cap type and each of them having an outward projecting annular iiange located immediately below the thread and also having retaining means formed integrally therewith near the bottom, a common molded base member beneath all of the said containing members and extending radially in all directions at least as far as do'the said flanges on the containing members, the said base member having a plurality of means formed integrally therewith at the same level and each adapted for engaging the retaining means of a relatively deep containing member, at least one adapter interposed between one of lthe last said means on the base and the retaining means of a containing member of less depth, and a common enclosing member structurally separate from the base member and from the containing members and surrounding all of the latter, the said enclosing member having a top wall with openings therein for receiving the containing members and the said enclosing member being held in place by engagement with the top of the base member and with the bottoms of the flanges` on the containing members.

'7. The combination in a cosmetic container, of a plurality of thin-walled cup-shaped molded containing members positioned at approximately the same leveland each having is interior diameter at the top at least as large as is the interior diameter below the top, each oi the said members being externally threaded adjacent its upper periphery for engagement with a closure of the cap type and each of them having an outward projecting annular flange located immediately below thethread, a common molded base member beneath all of the Seid containing members and extending radially in all directions at least as far as do the said ilanges on the containing members, retaining means formed integrally with the bottoms of the said containing members and connected with the said base member to hold al1 oi". the said members against relative lateral movement and to resist relative upward movement of the containing members, and a common enclosing member structurally separate from the base member and from the containing members and surrounding all of. the latter, the said enclosing member having a top wall with openings therein for receiving the containing members and the said enclosing member being held in place by engagement with the top of the base member and with the bottoms of the flanges on the containing members, and a containing compartment additional to the said containing members and carried by the top wall of the enclosing member.

8. The combination in a cosmetic container, of a plurality of thin-Walled cup-shaped molded containing members positioned at approximately the same level and each having its interior diameter at the top at least as large asis the interior diameter below the top, each of the said members being externally threaded adjacent its upper periphery for engagement with a closure of. the cap type and each of them having an outward projecting annular ange located immediately below the thread, a common molded base member beneath all of the said containing members and extending radially in all directions at least as far as do the said anges on the containing members, retaining means formed integrally with the bottoms of the said containing members and connected with the said base member to hold all of the said members against relative lateral movement and to resist relative upward movement of the containing members, and a common enclosing member structurally separate from the base member and from the containing members and surrounding all of the latter, the said enclosing member having a top Wall with openings therein for receiving the containing members and the said `enclosing member being held in place by engagement with the top o1'. the base member and with the bottoms of the flanges on the containing members, and an additional containing member structurally separate from the enclosing member and supported entirely upon the top wall thereof.

BENJAMIN F. CONNER. 

